The weekend What If?

Honestly? I really try NOT to compare myself to anyone else. There's always someone better than me at something, and someone who doesn't quite measure up to me. Comparing my life to someone else's is just asking for misery.

But that doesn't answer the question, does it? So, whose life is more satisfying than mine? None of them, because I'm freaking awesome.

(Snort!)

All of them.

None of them. I'm convinced that the Lord satisfies me more than whatever else there is to satisfy. I'm also convinced He's giving me the best possible life for me, as well as the hope in life to share it with others.

None of them. I like my life.

None, we are all uniquely made by God. We all shine in our own way.

I can't imagine people being more satisfied than me. I am a satisfied woman. Though I still have dreams and goals that I haven't achieved YET, I am at peace. God is good.

God bless Anonymous above me. (

oh tough one. I guess it depends what my hormones are doing at the time when I am asked…..yeah, it's been one of those weeks.

I am going to say for the most part, maybe 5-10. And that is only because they are doing what I am doing but don't have the monkey of "living hand to mouth" on their back. Seriously, that is the only thing right now that is a drag for me where I feel I could be more productive and able to round things out.

And like you said, what fulfills me might do nothing for others. I am content in my life, staying home schooling my children, trying to raise them the best I can, working on a little hobby farm and trying to live a life that truly satisfies who is most important, God.

I'm a content person (mostly anyway)…I know alot of people who are not… who are restless in life so perhaps they would say they are not as satisfied with their life as I would mine.

And my life isn't perfect but my contentment isn't based on my circumstances (again most of the time) I know there can be contentment and satisfaction without perfection (thankfully).

Some of it is age..I'm midlife…some is also the temperament I was born with I think. And a big chunk is my faith which is woven into my sense of satisfaction with my life.

None of them! I would like to think these randomly chosen people would think they were living a just-as-satisfying life as I. But I'm not that naive. We all have different ways of looking at things in life. Even on a really bad day, I can see my blessings.

I have struggled with comparing myself to others. BIG TIME. So I'd HOPE that I wouldn't try to measure up, jockey for position, compare, etc., to the 100.

You know, I think katdish has got it right. We are all made in God's image, and have been individually gifted, which makes each one of us pretty "freaking awesome."

I've been working on focusing on the Giver, instead of the Gifts, which keeps my eyes off myself. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. …"

Great question.

It depends on the day. If it is a hormonal, let's have a big pity party day…then everyone.

But only for a moment.

Because truthfully I love my life, simply because it is mine and God and I are still working on creating a masterpiece…it is just a long, hard process at times.

Three.

Billy:
First, thanks for being honest. I think most people who want to accomplish anything in life go through those times of comparing to others. My wife is a psychologist (jealous?) and she counsels her clients to pay close attention to those envy signals, because they are saying something about yourself, your needs, and unfufilled areas in your life, or qualities that you might need to further develop. I believe God can actually use those experiences and turn them around to motivate us to be the best we can be.

As for your questions, I would probably find something in a few of them that I admired or would like to share. But I have not yet met someone whose life I would ever want to trade.

Loved Katdish's response!

Comparison is the root of so much destruction in our lives and in those around us.

When I catch myself comparing it is much like what katdish said. Some are better off; some are not. If I allow myself to focus on either extreme no good comes of it. The result is either pride or discouragement. Peace is only found when we keep our eyes on Christ and allow Him to determine our worth.

If 100 people your age were chosen at random, how many do you think you'd find leading a more satisfying life than yours?

None of them in some ways. All of them in other areas. Some of them, sometimes. (what did I just say? sounds like a politician)

However, anyone who feels, "All of them."

Dear Anonumous, I noticed your comment "All of them." You are unique and gifted not "Anonymous" but known by the creator of the universe who loves and cares for you. He has a marvelous plan for your life that satisfies your greatest thirst and meets your every need. Maybe I'm out of line here but it grieved me to see your comment and worse to see you identify yourself as Anonymous.

The simplicity and complexity of life. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Thanks Billy, your blogs are like a rock into a smooth lake, the ripple effect reaches from shore to shore.

I suppose I might find a few people that I considered to have a more satisfying life, but who knows, maybe if I asked those people, they would think my life is more satisfying than theirs!

I have a friend who can not have children…I have 4. A group of us were at her very neat & tidy house (no kids, remember) when I looked to another gal and said I would give anything to have a nice clean house like hers. My friend just replied that she was sure our hostess envied my messy house because of my kids that made it that way. Yep, we all see something in someone that we wished we had, but they see the same thing in us!

My, my. Well, as a person with life-long people-pleasing, performance-based issues, I've gone through periods of my life where the answer to this question would have been different each time it was asked. It's only been in the last 5 or 6 years that I have been able to consistently view my own life in light of my unique worth as God's creation.

For the most part, I'm very content within the "skin" of the life I've been given, and, now, any seasons of discontent get measured against the LIGHT, rather than being viewed in light of others' circumstances and accomplishments.

Great question; it set my Saturday off on the right foot to be able to answer it honestly and realize the truth in my answer. I can only say GLORY TO GOD!

I am blessed to have God's peace about my life. Am I content with where I am, yes, but I know there is always more. I don't think that takes away satisfaction, it just makes me hungry.

I don't believe many of the 100 random people would say they were more satisfied with their lives, for there seems to be something inside of each one of us that sees others as having it "better" or "easier" than us.

Many chase after riches and fame onlt to find they bring no satisfaction at all, but to the world they look like someone to be envied… oh, I could go on and blend into your future topic of not comparing.. but I'll stop.

I have my God and His peace flows through me. What more do we truly need?

The funny thing is, the closer we get to folks, the more we see their struggles and realize that life is much the same for all of us. I think that's why God intends for us to fellowship…to encourage each other and draw from the strengths of others. I'm sure there would be quite a few living a more satisfying life than I…I'm still learning too many life lessons to say I'm fully satisfied where I am!

whoa! it depends on how you define "satisfying". if it is by cirucmstances then many are more satisfied. however, i love my life, even though i hope & pray that things change one day. i think i could just ramble out an answer here becuz i keep going back to what the definition is.

great question. and i am thrilled that i didn't immediately think that 100% are leading a more satisfying life.

I agree with Sheryl that we all have a different definition of the word. Having said that I feel that no one would be more satisfied. God has blessed me with who and where I am at this point in my life. I certainly have more goals, hopes and dreams for the future, but that will be 'icing on the cake'.

You know, there was a time when I would think about this or compare myself to others. Now I've accepted that there will always be a latent sense of longing–but that I truly have all I need and to be honest, I'm really quite happy in my life. I love my life!! And even if my "wildest dreams" were to come true (ie. bestselling book), I wouldn't be any "happier" than I am today. Contentment. It's a good thing.

I like my life and wouldn't change a thing, except maybe to add a few trips to exciting cities like NYC, Paris & Rome. I'd like Chicago as well, I think. Would be fun to be in the audience for an Oprah program. I've been to Paris and Rome and hope to visit there again!

I also thought of these quotes as I read:

The grass is not always greener on the other side. It is greenest where you fertilize and water. Lysa Terkeurst

…and also where you pull the weeds. Added by Karen Ehman

Billy,

I would have to say none. It would determine what is important to each and every person what defines better than what we have.

Some people have more money and search their entire life buying things that hope will satisfy that craving deep inside for love and never find it.

Everyone always wants something more but I believe happiness is what you come to appreciate after a lifetime of living, the things that money can buy or storms can't destroy.

Our homes, our cars, our jobs, money, and the things of this world will never make us happy, only the love of our Savior and the family He has provided is truly enough for me.

I think I have riches beyond what other people consider and it's all about how you truly see it.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

That depends on how I look at it.

If I take it on face value, all of them.

If I actually speak to them about their lives, that goes down to less than half of them.

If I live what I say I believe, then none of them. But I'm a hypocrite and what I say I believe about finding satisfaction in God I don't put into action in my life.

I am very dissatisfied with the things I do and 'achieve'!

None of them. I'm not perfect but I think I'm right supposed to be.

what a great question! Hmmm … if I had to answer in complete honesty I'd have to say probably "a few"
Just the other day God gave me a loving and gentle reminder of the whole comparison thing. It was good.
Given all I've been through in the last year I have often thought that "there is always someone else who is worse off than you"
I have also come to the realization that I am that someone for a lot of people who know me … (comforts me in an odd way)

I have great hope that soon the "few" will be replaced by none. Even when you know there is a reason for a storm, it is really hard to be in the midst of one totally satisfied …. at least for me anyway

In Him,
Tina

@ Anonymous – if you see this, email me so I can email you back. (Click my name and it will take you to my email.)

Seriously, I hope it would be all of them, but I doubt anyone could be living a better life for our Lord.

Married to 12 years to a mighty warrior. Watching and praying as he becomes the man God has called him to be.

Raising our little warriors to know Him and make Him known.

Serving on the mission field in Kenya, Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, and now moving back to the United States.

Laying it all down to radically obey as we hear the voice of God and leaving to stand in the gap for a nation that needs to hear HIs voice again.

Dancing in His glory and learning to hear the heartbeat of heaven. I'm living my dream. No, I'm living my King's dream for me.

Sarah Dawn
'Princess with a new beginning'

I don't think any would have a more satisfying life than I. Even though things have been difficult at times, our struggles – and the way we deal with them – define who we are. Even through those times of struggle, deep down I am satisfied. I am content. I am blessed.

Maybe two?

Having just been through a class where we went through John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life … I'd say that not very many people are satisfied with their life.

I can't say that I look at anyone and feel that they have a more satisfying life than mine. I did this ALL THE TIME when I was younger. But now, I know Who I am following, and I know the work that He has for me to do. And that's pretty darn satisfying, if you ask me. And you did. So I answered you. Sort of.

~Brenda

I'd say probably half and half…sometimes we're the fly, sometimes we're the windshield, know what I mean?

I have two beautiful, healthy children. My sister in law is unable to have any. She has more spending funds and free time, while we're frequently financially tight and can't find time for a date night. My husband is overseas, but others have husbands who are home, in a wheelchair, out of work, or worst case scenario, in a pine box.

Over all, I'm satisfied with my life. Whether it's more so than anyone else is beside the point. If I were comparing, would I truly be satisfied?

It doesn't matter because it is enough for me to know I have a satisfying life and am quite happy where I am.